Brassiere with anti-slip feature

ABSTRACT

There is provided a breast cup comprising an outer panel including an outer fabric layer, an inner panel including an inner fabric layer to be worn against a wearer&#39;s skin, the inner panel including an upper and a lower region, wherein the upper region is closest to and the lower region is furthest from a neckline of a user when the breast cup is worn by the user, and wherein the inner panel includes disposed on at least a portion of the lower region, a discontinuous layer of an elastomeric material to provide a region of high friction when worn against a user&#39;s skin. A method of making the same is also provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to brassieres breast cups providing ananti-slip feature within the breast cup to enhance comfort and aestheticappeal.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Aside from providing support, many brassieres are designed to enhancethe appearance of a wearer's bust, generally by lifting the breasts upand pushing them forward or away from the wearer's body, and/or towardeach other to create the illusion of a more substantial cleavage.

A variety of methods have been employed to accomplish these lifting andpushing effects including the use of foam, rubber or gel-filled insertswithin the breast cup to provide padding thereby displacing the breastand creating the illusion of a larger breast size. The padding istypically positioned within the lower portion of breast cup to providethe desired lifting and pushing effect offered by the so-called“push-up” bra.

When a user wears such a push-up bra, the user will typically adjust therelative position of the breasts within the breast cup so as to achievethe optimal level of comfort and aesthetic appeal. However, after havingworn the brassiere for a number of hours, simple body movements willhave caused the position of the breasts within the breast cups to shiftpotentially causing discomfort to the wearer and a less than optimalappearance.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a breast cupconstruction which prevents undesirable movements of the breast withinthe breast cup and a brassiere which incorporates such a breast cupconstruction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art having reference to the followingspecification together with its drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided abreast cup comprising:

an outer panel including an outer fabric layer;

an inner panel including an inner fabric layer to be worn against awearer's skin, the inner panel including an upper and a lower region,wherein the upper region is closest to and the lower region is furthestfrom a neckline of a user when the breast cup is worn by the user;

wherein the inner panel includes disposed on at least a portion of thelower region, a discontinuous layer of an elastomeric material toprovide a region of high friction when worn against a user's skin.

Preferably, the discontinuous layer of elastomeric material is disposedon the inner panel in a pattern having at least some visual appeal.

More preferably, the pattern comprises a plurality of segments eachcomprising elastomeric material.

In one embodiment, segment of elastomeric material is no more than 20millimetre² in area.

Each segment of elastomeric material preferably has a thickness of nomore than 0.6 millimetres.

In a preferred form of the invention, the elastomeric material comprisessilicone rubber.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda brassiere comprising:

a pair of breast cups each including:

-   -   an outer panel including an outer fabric layer;    -   an inner panel including an inner fabric layer to be worn        against a wearer's skin, the inner panel including an upper and        a lower region, wherein the upper region is closest to and the        lower region is furthest from a neckline of a user when the        breast cup is worn by the user;

an intermediate bridging region extending between the breast cups; and

a back strap extending from each of the breast cups;

wherein the inner panel includes disposed on at least a portion of thelower region, a discontinuous layer of an elastomeric material toprovide a region of high friction when worn against a user's skin.

Preferably, the discontinuous layer of elastomeric material is disposedon the inner panel in a pattern having at least some visual appeal.

More preferably, the pattern comprises a plurality of segments eachcomprising elastomeric material.

In one embodiment, each segment of elastomeric material is no more than20 millimetre² in area.

Each segment of elastomeric material has a thickness of no more than 0.6millimetres.

In a preferred form of the invention, the elastomeric material comprisessilicone rubber.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method of making breast cups, the method comprising thefollowing steps:

forming an outer panel including an outer fabric layer;

forming an inner panel including an inner fabric layer to be wornagainst a wearer's skin, the inner panel including an upper and a lowerregion, wherein the upper region is closest to and the lower region isfurthest from a neckline of a user when the breast cup is worn by theuser;

applying a discontinuous layer of an elastomeric material on at least aportion of the lower region of the inner panel;

combining the outer panel and inner panel; and

trimming the combined panels to define one or more breast cups.

In one embodiment, the outer panel includes an outer fabric layerlaminated with a foam layer and the method further comprises the step ofmolding the outer panel to form a pair of breast cups.

In a preferred form of the invention, the inner fabric layer islaminated with a foam layer and the method further comprises the step ofmolding the inner panel to form a pair of breast cups once thediscontinuous layer of an elastomeric material has been disposed upon atleast a portion of the lower region of the inner panel.

Preferably, the discontinuous layer of elastomeric material is disposedupon the inner panel in a pattern having at least some visual appeal andthe step of applying the discontinuous layer of the elastomeric materialon at least a portion of the lower region of the inner panel comprisesspraying the elastomeric material onto a film layer, the film layerincluding perforations corresponding to the pattern to be disposedthereon upon the inner fabric layer the film being positioned thereon.

More preferably, the method further including the step of passing theinner fabric layer through a heating apparatus after disposing theelastomeric material thereon.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a brassiere comprising breast cups made by the method describedhereinabove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in greaterdetail by reference to the accompanying figures which facilitateunderstanding of the method according to this invention. Theparticularity of the figures and the related description is not to beunderstood as superseding the generality of the broad identification ofthe invention as given in the attached claims.

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a typical molded breast cup.

FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the molded breast cup of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing showing the inner panel of a breast cupembodying the principles of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A to 3J are front on views of the inner panel of a breast cupaccording to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4A shows the first step in a method of making a breast cupembodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 4B shows the second step in a method for making the breast cup.

FIG. 4C shows the third step in a method for making the breast cup.

FIG. 4D shows the fourth step in a method for making the breast cup.

FIG. 4E shows the fifth step in a method for making the breast cup.

FIG. 4F shows the sixth step and final step in a method for making thebreast cup.

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of a brassiere incorporating breast cupsembodying the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring firstly to FIG. 1A there is shown a typical breast cup 100 ofthe molded variety comprising an outer panel 110 which includes an outerfabric layer and an inner panel 120 including an inner fabric layer tobe worn against a wearer's skin. A middle layer (not shown) comprisingfill may be disposed between the outer panel 110 and the inner panel120. The illustrated breast cup 100 is molded so as to apply a pushingforce against an underside of the user's breast causing the breast to bedisplaced into the upper region 130 of the breast cup. The upper region130 of the breast cup 100 being the region that sits against the upperside of a user's breast when fitted to a user. However, it is to beunderstood that the breast cup 100 of the present invention is notlimited to molded or “push-up” type brassieres, but can be adapted toand provide advantages to various other types of brassiere.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the inner panel 120 of the breast cup 100includes upper 130 and lower 150 regions, wherein the upper region 130is closest to and the lower region 150 is furthest from a neckline ofthe user when the breast cup is worn by a user. The inner panel 120includes disposed on at least a portion of the lower region 150, adiscontinuous layer of an elastomeric material 160. This layer ofelastomeric material 160 provides a region of high friction when wornagainst a user's skin and ameliorates the slippage of the user's breastwithin the breast cup 100.

As shown in FIGS. 3A through to 3J, the layer of elastomeric material160 may be disposed upon the inner panel 120 in a pattern that providesvisual appeal. Each illustrated pattern comprises a plurality ofsegments 170 each comprising elastomeric material which has beendisposed upon the inner panel 120 of the breast cup 100 to provide avisually appealing pattern. The visual appeal may be further enhanced byproviding the elastomeric materials in one or more colours. Applicationof the elastomeric material in a discontinuous layer forming a patternminimises discomfort to the user who will wear the elastomeric materialagainst the skin whilst providing the desired region of high friction tominimise slippage of the breast within the breast cup.

In forming the pattern each segment 170 of elastomeric material ispreferably no more than 20 millimetre² in area. More preferably, eachsegment 170 of elastomeric material has a thickness of no more than 0.6millimetres.

The elastomeric material will generally comprise silicone rubber, suchas for example, ELASTOSIL® E43 TRANSPARENT manufactured by Wacker ChemieAG. The features of silicone rubber that make it useful for this purposeare the high coefficient of friction together with ease of applicationsince it cures at room temperature under the influence of atmosphericmoisture.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A to 4F, there is shown the sequence of stepsfor manufacturing a breast cup according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 4A, there is shown a precursor outer panel 410including an outer fabric layer preferably laminated with a memory foamlayer. In FIG. 4C, there is shown a precursor inner panel 420 includingan inner fabric layer also preferably laminated with a soft foam layer.The inner fabric layer of the inner panel 420 is so called since it ismost proximate to the user's skin when the breast cup or brassiereincorporating the breast cup is fitted to the user. The outer fabriclayer of the outer panel 410 is so called since it is most distal fromthe user's skin when the breast cup or brassiere incorporating thebreast cup 100 is fitted to the user.

Referring now to FIG. 4B, the outer panel 410 is subjected to a moldingprocess by sandwiching the outer panel between two complementaryportions of a molding machine, each portion defining a two cup moldingsurface. FIG. 4B shows the resultant, molded outer panel with the twocups 430 formed.

Referring now to FIG. 4D, the discontinuous layer of an elastomericmaterial 440 is applied to a region of the inner panel 420 correspondingto at least a portion of the lower region of the breast cup to form apattern. In one embodiment, the application of the elastomeric material440 on the inner fabric layer is accomplished by spraying theelastomeric material onto a film layer (not shown), the film layerincluding perforations corresponding to the pattern to be disposedthereon upon the inner fabric layer. The film, which will typicallycomprise a plastic film, overlays the fabric layer of the inner panel420 during the spraying process.

The elastomeric material 440 will cure at room temperature after around12 hours. Alternatively, to accelerate curing, once the elastomericmaterial 440 has been deposited upon the inner panel 420, the innerpanel can be passed through a heating apparatus set at 70 to 80 degreesCelsius for a period of 3 to 5 minutes and then allowed to cure at roomtemperature for 3 to 4 hours.

Referring now to FIG. 4E, the inner panel 420 is molded to form a pairof breast cups 450 once the discontinuous layer of an elastomeric 440material has been disposed upon the inner panel 420 in a regioncorresponding to at least a portion of the lower region of the breastcup. As described with reference to FIG. 4B, the molding processinvolves sandwiching the inner panel 420 between two complementaryportions of a molding machine 460, each portion defining a two cupmolding surface. FIG. 3F shows the resultant, molded inner panel 420with the elastomeric material 440 disposed thereon and the two cups 450formed.

Subsequently, the outer panel 410 is laminated with the inner panel 420with the foam layer of each facing each other, and the breast cup shapesformed. Alternatively, and indeed more preferably, the molding of theinner panel and the lamination of the outer panel with the inner paneltake place simultaneously in one step. In this case, the outer panel 410and the inner panel 420 are placed against each other with the foamlayer of each facing each other, and both panels are sandwiched betweentwo complementary portions of a molding machine for the molding processand the lamination process to occur simultaneously with the applicationof heat and adhesives.

Referring back to FIG. 2, once the breast cup shapes have beensubstantially formed, the breast cups are cut and then trimmed from themolded assembly (not shown) to form the individual molded breast cups100.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a brassiere 500 may then be formed by attachingother components including bridging portion 510 and back strap or straps520 securing the brassiere to the wearer and optionally under wire andshoulder straps 530 to the breast cups 540.

The advantage of the present invention is the avoidance of slippage ofthe user's breast relative to the breast cup, thereby enhancing wearercomfort and maintaining the desired visual appearance. The breast cup ofthe present invention is particularly applicable to molded and “push-up”type brassieres, but it will be understood that the present invention isapplicable to all types of brassieres, whether padded or not.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with a limitednumber of embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in theart that many alternatives, modifications and variations in light of theforegoing description are possible. Accordingly, the present inventionis intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications andvariations as may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention asdisclosed.

1. A breast cup comprising: an outer panel including an outer fabriclayer; an inner panel including an inner fabric layer to be worn againsta wearer's skin, the inner panel including an upper and a lower region,wherein the upper region is closest to and the lower region is furthestfrom a neckline of a user when the breast cup is worn by the user;wherein the inner panel includes disposed on at least a portion of thelower region, a discontinuous layer of an elastomeric material toprovide a region of high friction when worn against a user's skin.
 2. Abreast cup according to claim 1, wherein the discontinuous layer ofelastomeric material is disposed on the inner panel in a pattern havingat least some visual appeal.
 3. A breast cup according to claim 2,wherein the pattern comprises a plurality of segments each comprisingelastomeric material.
 4. A breast cup according to claim 3, wherein eachsegment of elastomeric material is no more than 20 millimetre² in area.5. A breast cup according to claim 3, wherein each segment ofelastomeric material has a thickness of no more than 0.6 millimetres. 6.A breast cup according to claim 1, wherein the elastomeric materialcomprises silicone rubber.
 7. A brassiere comprising: a pair of breastcups each including: an outer panel including an outer fabric layer; aninner panel including an inner fabric layer to be worn against awearer's skin, the inner panel including an upper and a lower region,wherein the upper region is closest to and the lower region is furthestfrom a neckline of a user when the breast cup is worn by the user; anintermediate bridging region extending between the breast cups; and aback strap extending from each of the breast cups; wherein the innerpanel includes disposed on at least a portion of the lower region, adiscontinuous layer of an elastomeric material to provide a region ofhigh friction when worn against a user's skin.
 8. A brassiere accordingto claim 7, wherein the discontinuous layer of elastomeric material isdisposed on the inner panel in a pattern having at least some visualappeal.
 9. A brassiere according to claim 8, wherein the patterncomprises a plurality of segments each comprising elastomeric material.10. A brassiere according to claim 9, wherein each segment ofelastomeric material is no more than 20 millimetre² in area.
 11. Abrassiere according to claim 9, wherein each segment of elastomericmaterial has a thickness of no more than 0.6 millimetres.
 12. Abrassiere according to claim 7, wherein the elastomeric materialcomprises silicone rubber.
 13. A method of making breast cups, themethod comprising the following steps: forming an outer panel includingan outer fabric layer; forming an inner panel including an inner fabriclayer to be worn against a wearer's skin, the inner panel including anupper and a lower region, wherein the upper region is closest to and thelower region is furthest from a neckline of a user when the breast cupis worn by the user; applying a discontinuous layer of an elastomericmaterial on at least a portion of the lower region of the inner panel;combining the outer panel and inner panel; and trimming the combinedpanels to define one or more breast cups.
 14. A method of making abreast cup according to claim 13, wherein the outer panel includes anouter fabric layer laminated with a foam layer and the method furthercomprises the step of molding the outer panel to form a pair of breastcups.
 15. A method of making a breast cup according to claim 13, whereinthe inner fabric layer is laminated with a foam layer and the methodfurther comprises the step of molding the inner panel to form a pair ofbreast cups once the discontinuous layer of an elastomeric material hasbeen disposed upon at least a portion of the lower region of the innerpanel.
 16. A method of making a breast cup according to claim 13,wherein the discontinuous layer of elastomeric material is disposed uponthe inner panel in a pattern having at least some visual appeal and thestep of applying the discontinuous layer of the elastomeric material onat least a portion of the lower region of the inner panel comprisesspraying the elastomeric material onto a film layer, the film layerincluding perforations corresponding to the pattern to be disposedthereon upon the inner fabric layer the film being positioned thereon.17. A method of making a breast cup according to claim 16, the methodfurther including the step of passing the inner fabric layer through aheating apparatus after disposing the elastomeric material thereon. 18.A brassiere comprising breast cups made by the method of claim 13.